Raven Housing Trust
MyRaven

Employment success stories

We love to hear success stories from people we’ve helped with our employment support!

“Thank you so much to my employment advisor for doing such a great job on my CV. Being from another country I wasn’t sure what level of detail was expected and with English not being my first language I was really struggling. Now I have a killer CV which shows my qualities and potential, and I can’t wait to get it out there to see what opportunities are out there.”

Milad, employment support customer

Work Smart Case Study: Harry’s story

Harry* self-referred for support as he was facing challenges securing job interviews. Despite having a background in retail, he was struggling to find employment in the sector and needed assistance in his job search. Harry has had two part time retail roles previously but was out of work for over 6 months. He has a learning difficulty including challenges with numeracy and has no transport.

Harry joined the programme late October and received tailored support and guidance throughout his job search journey, including CV amendments, job applications, interview preparation, and career discussions from his dedicated Employment Adviser (EA).

Harry’s CV was updated and reviewed with him. EA explained how to update a CV and the reasons behind the changes to improve his chances of securing interviews. He completed a Greggs application with support and was sent additional job opportunities. This ensured his applications were strong and aligned with job requirements. Harry then attended a Coffee Morning mid November where job listings were reviewed and attended a workshop to better understand about budgeting and benefits. Harry was proactive and willingly took his CV to Sainsbury’s after EA mentioned the hiring sign posted outside. Alongside his retail applications, alternative options like apprenticeships were discussed to expand his opportunities.

At the end of November, through our Employer Engagement contacts, Harry was informed about a cleaning role at The Belfry by EA. He reviewed the shift patterns and confirmed his interest. They reviewed the salary to ensure he was better off in work. Harry received 121 and group support to prepare for his interview, boosting his confidence and ensuring his readiness to talk about his transferable skills and abilities. Following the interview mid-December Harry successfully secured the role and was excited to start. Follow-ups with his EA ensured a smooth transition into work. After starting in January and completing training, he expressed he was happy with the role and requested to exit the program as he felt stable in his employment.

The support was structured to address Harry’s initial struggle in securing employment and provide a holistic approach to employment support. CV improvements and job applications increased his chances of interviews. Career discussions helped explore alternative pathways when retail jobs were unsuccessful. Interview prep ensured he was well-prepared, to answer the questions well, leading to job success. Follow-ups confirmed job security and a he was settle and able to sustain work. The support provided helped Harry gain confidence in his job search, improve his CV, and explore different career opportunities. Harry initially struggled to secure interviews and maintain long-term employment in retail due to a lack of support for his learning disability. Through tailored assistance, he was able to overcome these barriers by receiving guidance on CV improvements, strengthening his job applications, broadening his job search, and gaining interview preparation skills.

He successfully gained stable employment where he felt better supported. Additionally, he was able to ensure his new employers were informed about his learning difficulties, ensuring he received the necessary support in the workplace. By securing stable employment, he has achieved financial independence, going from £700 of benefits to around £1600. His proactive approach and engagement with the process also demonstrated personal growth and resilience.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

Work Smart Case Study: Tyler’s story

Tyler* referred himself on to the Work Smart Programme after speaking to the team at the Redhill Job Fair in September. After working in a zero-hour hospitality contract he wanted to gain new skills and change career. Tyler was looking for a job as a gas engineer or plumber, to support his gas and plumbing courses with Access Training. He was unsure of what to do and where to go next once he had the qualification. He also wanted support to gain the relevant on the job experience. Due to low finances Tyler was considering some part time work or an apprenticeship.

Tyler started the programme in September 2024 his Adviser supported him by updating his CV, which would highlight his transferable skills and match the CV to any job description Tyler was applying against. Over the next set of appointments, Tyler was supported with job searching techniques and advice on interview skills, preparing Tyler for an interview for a retail role.

In November, Tyler had a meeting with SureServe, a Raven Housing Trust contractor to discuss work experience with their team two days a week. He completed 4 weeks work experience with good feedback. Throughout the work experience, Tyler learned valuable skills like welding, fixing boilers, bleeding radiators, wiring heating pads, customer service skills and problem-solving. The skills learnt through this work experience will help him more when he gets full-time work or placement.

In January, due to ongoing financial difficulties Tyler stopped his course and focused on paid work until he was able to continue his vocational studies.

In February, Tyler was supported to apply for a bursary funding for other gas and plumbing courses and looked at local Apprenticeship roles available.

Tyler continued to get support to apply for different roles and through an Employer Engagement contact Tyler was matched for a role as a Handyman using his skills and abilities. He was invited to an interview and had support reviewing his interview skills and obtaining interview clothes. The interview was successful and he was offered a permanent part time role.

Tyler will put some funds aside to save up for future training courses for his plumbing gas career.

Archived stories

Arthur* was self-employed in construction but had to give up work to support his partner through end of life care. He was grateful for any help/support we could offer him to find an employed position.

Having been self-employed for many years prior he was looking for permanent paid work with a company. Arthur sent in his CV to assist with job search and a link was sent for RB Works. He was supported with help and advice through the process.

Arthur quickly secured a job with a local design and building company due to his skills and motivation. This has financial stabilised Arthur along with improving his well-being and life balance through work.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

Alex* is a young man who has some learning difficulties including global delay and a stammer. After the death of his mother, he was supported by his father to explore opportunities for getting into work or volunteering to increase his social skills. Although generally independent around the house, Alex wasn’t accessing many external activities.

Over 10 months of support and interaction with both Alex and his father various volunteering options were explored. Through discussion and assessment, it was identified that outdoor activities would suit Alex better.

A company called Surrey Care Trust was found and contact was made with the Nurture through Nature Gateway Community Garden link. In agreement with his advisor, it was agreed he would start 1 day a week. Alex was supported to attend his first visit with his father. It is expected Alex will travel independently on future visits. Feedback the Advisor received from the first day was Alex engaged with other volunteers and fully immersed himself in the project. The organiser said how good his first visit was. The advisor will continue to support Alex in his volunteering and consider when ready to move into employment.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

Jason* was a young man with a family who had recently stopped working. He wanted to get back into work quickly but wanted to change career into cyber security.

His CV was out of date and needed amending which he was unsure how to do himself.

With his adviser he was supported in looking at work options via various websites including @Working dad’s and RB Works. Whilst gaining skills and knowledge in Cyber security he still needed to earn money to support his family.

Working with his adviser he updated his CV and created a cover letter to match the roles he was applying for. He was very active, putting his CV on many job vacancies. Jason didn’t need much support with interview skills.

Eventually Jason was invited to an interview with a car finance company as admin support. He impressed the company and was quickly offered the role.

This was a welcome result as he was feeling very anxious to provide for his family. Jason is continuing to study and gain experience in Cyber skills alongside working fulltime.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

Paula* was working as cabin crew until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and she was made redundant. When she first joined the programme, she was so frightened she would not be able to secure future employment due to her age. She had always worked since leaving school so being at home was an alien concept for her.

Paula worked with our Digital team and completed some I.T courses. She increased her I.T skills so she could apply for jobs that required computer skills. Paula has a real enthusiasm and thirst for learning. She also completed a befriending course with VARB (a local volunteering agency) and successfully passed.

Recently, she shared the amazing news that she has secured a fulltime job at a hospital as ward administrator. This is a great achievement for a person who had little I.T skills and a fear that her age would be a barrier to finding employment.

As part of Paula’s support through the programme, she learnt a lot about confidentiality, equal opportunities and GDPR policies, and what they mean in the workplace. Paula said that this had been extremely useful and benefited her in the interview. In fact, she reports that she was complimented on her comprehensive answers!

Paula commented that her life has been enriched and she is really enjoying her new role.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

Sam* joined the programme after moving into a hostel. Although Sam had worked prior to moving, there were barriers to her finding work such as low motivation, mental illness, anxiety and a lack of job related skills. She was on medication and had been offered counselling.

Sam’s goal was to become a self-employed mobile nail technician. She was loaned a laptop at the beginning of the project and used it for two years to help her with her training. She already had a professional diploma in acrylic nails which she had funded herself before joining the programme.

We were pleased to fund the final part of her nail course which would allow her, once fully qualified, to apply for public liability insurance. Sam put together a business plan and created a name for her new business.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 lockdown struck and all courses were put on hold. Sam’s employment support advisor continued to speak with her on a regular basis to help keep her motivated.

After her 30th birthday, Sam moved into her own flat which was a massive milestone for her. Once lockdown ended and courses were reinstated, Sam finished and successfully passed the course, and is already building up a strong client base for her new business.

We wish Sam every success in her business venture!

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

Imogen was referred to the Working Homes project by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, having moved to the area from a refuge in London. She had an Optometry degree from her home country and was looking to practice in the UK, so needed some help in understanding how to do this.

We found out from the General Optical Council that she needed to have the relevant qualification, be registered, have practiced in her UK for at least 12 months and have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate. One criteria she didn’t meet was having the IELTS qualification.

We found some resources for Imogen to study, and the Working Homes project has offered to pay for her test when she is ready. We also gave her a laptop donated by our Level Up project.

Imogen was keen to find a part time job as an optometry assistant to refresh her skills and build her confidence, so we helped her update her CV and discussed childcare options for her son who has special needs. She was soon offered a job as an optical assistant at Vision Express. She also found a childminder which the Working Homes project paid for, enabling her to start work very quickly.

Even though she was enjoying her new job, her son didn’t settle with the childminder. Her employer didn’t want to lose her so agreed to keep her job open until she found suitable childcare. She was soon back at work and her manager agreed for her to work part time.

Imogen is loving her job and is hoping her employer will support her with registering as a UK optometrist.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

When Alice* started on the Working Homes project she hadn’t worked for three years and had just moved into her permanent home from temporary accommodation. She was keen to find office work, but lacked confidence and experience so thought volunteering would help. Our Development team were keen to take on a volunteer so the match was made, with Alice’s employment adviser supplying a laptop so she could do an online business administration course and practice her I.T skills. Alice started on tasks like updating spreadsheets and calling customers and developers, soon proving herself to be a valuable member of the team.

She had been volunteering for three months when a vacancy came up in the Customer Services team. Alice worked with her employment adviser on her CV and interview preparation and Customer Services really liked her positive attitude and offered her the role. However, the Development team didn’t want to lose Alice, so they also offered her a permanent role.

Not only has this had such a positive impact on her confidence but the job offers came at a time when her benefits were being reduced due to her eldest child leaving education. The fact that Alice had two job offers after such a short time is a huge achievement for her and a very proud moment for the Working Homes team.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the individual

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